haha this is exactly what I was thinking.
The only thing annoying to me is wait staff sometimes trying to take my plate before I'm finished eating.
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Waiters clearing your plate when others at the table are not done eating
- Thread starter AuthenticM
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haha this is exactly what I was thinking.
The only thing annoying to me is wait staff sometimes trying to take my plate before I'm finished eating.
excelsiorlef
Member
There's a shit ton of classicism in this thread too yikes.
terrisus
Member
Same way the busser/waiter/waitress is supposed to know that the OP not only doesn't want their table cleaned right away, but that they feel they shouldn't even have to say that.
You would think mind readers could find better things to do than work in a restaurant.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
I only quoted him but for some reason all of his quotes were also in there which usually doesn't happen. I was agreeing with one of the people he quoted so my comment would have just confused everybody if I didn't edit them out. Stop confusing people.
And I didn't change it to quote him, he was the original person I quoted. I think I hit the add quote buttons before but it still doesn't change what I said.
My biggest problem with this practice is when I'm at a buffet, and I run out of something like mashed potatoes and go to get some, and return to find all my plates have been cleared. Now food has been wasted and I have to get up to duplicate what I was eating. I cross my utensils on the plate, but I don't think the waiters and waitresses have ever seen that before and don't know what it means, so it never works.
Also it's annoying when I get up for more food and the waitress assumes I've left for good, and for another 20 minutes I have no service. Places like Ryan's buffet now don't even give you the dollar or two you request for a tip in physical cash anymore, it takes the form of the receipt which lists your drinks so you have to give it to the waiter or waitress upon sitting down and so you can't withhold a tip for bad service. It's quite maddening since if I try not to give them the receipt at the beginning they ask for it to prove I'm a paying customer.
Also it's annoying when I get up for more food and the waitress assumes I've left for good, and for another 20 minutes I have no service. Places like Ryan's buffet now don't even give you the dollar or two you request for a tip in physical cash anymore, it takes the form of the receipt which lists your drinks so you have to give it to the waiter or waitress upon sitting down and so you can't withhold a tip for bad service. It's quite maddening since if I try not to give them the receipt at the beginning they ask for it to prove I'm a paying customer.
Where I live I think people would actually be more annoyed if the waiter didn't take away our dirty plates as soon as they were finished. I have never heard anybody complain about this, ever. I'm not just talking some family restaurant either. I went to Marco pierre whites restaurant here and the waiters did exactly this. Its normal.
Dice//
Banned
Communication! It's hard sometimes.
I can't say I've encountered this problem. I'm a slow eater, so if someone wants their plate gone so I can 'finish up', then I wouldn't be bothered.
Clockwork
Member
Removing your dirty empty plates should have nothing to do with rushing you out the door nor should it create that feeling.
I prefer to have my dishes removed when I am finished eating. I can then sit there with my beverage without the mess/clutter or when the time comes have an area clear and ready for dessert.
Here's an idea: don't leave until you've finished your plate or tell the person at the table with you not to let the employees take the plate (unless you're alone then go to option 1). It's that damn simple.
DoktorEvil
Banned
ITT: People don't know how to communicate and take it out on the server.
Just tell your busser/server you do or don't want the table cleared until everyone is done.
This seems like a huge non-issue to me...
TimeEffect
Member
If I am done I dont want dirty dishes in front of me.
I also imagine it motivates some people to buy dessert, just so that they have something in front of them.
I also imagine it motivates some people to buy dessert, just so that they have something in front of them.
No they should forgo all restaurant policy and solely focus on reading your mind for some super special snooty etiquette no one knows or cares about.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
Okay. I'll let you handle that.
LyleLanley
Banned
I think it both gives the impression to other diners at your table that they should hurry up and that the restaurant itself can't wait to get you on your way. It's also why I don't like it when a waiter brings me the check before I ask for it.
Before other people at the table have finished eating?
Clockwork
Member
What you see as an annoyance I see as a convenience.
Do you think the people at your table don't realize that you have already finished your food if you keep a dirty plate in front of you? It shouldn't make a a difference man.
terrisus
Member
After all, better to spend an hour on a thread discussing the issue, than take 10 seconds to let a waiter know your preference.
People need to stop worrying about hypothetical scenarios that have no credence to the majority. The majority of restaurants don't care unless you're there for an extended amount of time and they're busy. Most people don't care because they're too busy focused on the experience of conversing or actually enjoying their food. No one cares if you're a slow eater. Take your time and enjoy your food and company.
ThisGuy
Member
I just want to give you props for having a (what I assume from reading here) nice establishment and understanding what should be a pretty simple point.
When my girl and I out for dinner it bothers me when she feels rushed. I tend to eat quicker than average due to years of conditioning at my job so I am usually finished first. I cannot recall a time a waiter/waitress has taken a plate from me without my permission (when it is just us) but when we first started dating I did make the mistake of letting them take it. After a couple times I caught on to the body language.
I absolutely agree with the article and first post. And the people I have basically reiterated.
No, it's not that simple. Food compliments each other, if I'm out of baked chicken, mash potatoes, bread, and whatever else it can ruin what I'm eating. I want to be able to get up and return without having everything taken away. I don't want to stay and miserably finish off a plate of carbohydrates if I'm out of meat, or vice versa.
LyleLanley
Banned
Sure people realize that you're already done but there's a difference between someone who just finished their plate and having the process started of cleaning up the table. It's not the end of the world but I think there's a reason why fancy restaurants clear all the plates at the same time.
How does ADD relate to this? Were talking about when management wants the server to prebus the table, but the server does a poor job of doing it. Certain servers in the same restaurant will do an excellent job of prebussing, while others not so excellent.
How is removing the dirty plates from the table rushing the customers out? But this brings up something that has annoyed me plenty of times. There are many times, I've gone to a restaurant with the plan to get dessert after the main course, but the server never even ask if anyone at my able would like dessert, they just bring the check.
You say he was being sarcastic but he made another post in this thread saying it's not proper etiquette to clear plates. So again stop confusing people.
yep. I'm a quick eater so it's nice to be able to put my head down on the table while my girlfriend finishes eating.
You're at a buffet. It's common policy at all buffets that no one sees as a hindrance but a minority. For everyone else it's convenience. So you need to find a work-around or deal with it. Don't blame the employees.
mullet2000
Member
Man, reading this thread makes me really happy I don't get all rustled up about serving etiquette. Outside of being straight up rude, anyway. I can't say that what time a server takes my plate away even registers with me much.
Honestly, I like when servers are super casual with me. Makes the interaction feel way less fake to me.
Honestly, I like when servers are super casual with me. Makes the interaction feel way less fake to me.
Zeyphersan
Banned
Sorry dude, as a busser, that's what the managers want me to do. It flips tables faster
GoldenEye 007
Member
The only time I become more se sensitive about etiquette is at fine dining places. Four, five star type places. And generally then, they know their stuff anyway.
Anything less? I really don't care. I'd never get upset for removing a mess sooner rather than later. And besides if you're the only one in your group still eating, you're still going to feel slow because you're the only one still eating. Having dishes there or not doesn't really actually matter. Just an excuse to cheap out on the tip probably if you're in a tipping area.
Anything less? I really don't care. I'd never get upset for removing a mess sooner rather than later. And besides if you're the only one in your group still eating, you're still going to feel slow because you're the only one still eating. Having dishes there or not doesn't really actually matter. Just an excuse to cheap out on the tip probably if you're in a tipping area.
I pretty much only see the Internet complaining about, and getting seriously worked up over, the status quo or the expectations of others which they don't understand, actually. As someone that has worked in food service and has an intimate knowledge of the industry, I popped into this thread to say, "Yeah, well actually, it is frowned upon at most decent restaurants." Which is not to say I wouldn't tip if someone "pre-bussed" me; again, I've worked in food service and can't remember the last time I tipped below 15%, typically 20%, because even if you're working in a Michelin two-starred restaurant waiting tables is really hard work and often blows, particularly in the US. But it's not the norm at places I frequent, nor was I ever instructed to do it at restaurants I worked at (which were typically casual upscale). It's super basic dining etiquette. Which is all I and a couple others were trying to clarify.
Yep. The waiter asked would we like our plate removed if one of us was finished. It didn't bother the others who were still eating. Why would it? I've never heard of people complain about this. It seems like one of those thing that people label as good etiquette or rude without any real reason as to why. I don't want dirty plates in front of me when I'm finished nor would I care if a waiter took someone elses.
TwEE-N-Toast
Banned
I couldn't even imagine eating at the table with people so uptight that they wold care.
Robot Pants
Member
Yea. Exactly. Jesus
Rest
All these years later I still chuckle at what a fucking moron that guy is.
Nope, the waiter needs to keep the table as clean as possible, taking up empty plates as soon as they know they are empty is a part of that. They're not rushing anyone, I'm surprised anyone feels more comfortable with a dirty plate in front of them that a clean area of table.
CountAntonius
Member
I always finsih eating first and much faster than everyone else. I put my plate to thw side and I don't know think anyone has ever cared.
StealthGoblin
Banned
I've flat out had to pointedly say to waiters/waitresses that they are being incredibly rude.
Really irks me.
I consider it poor service.
Really irks me.
I consider it poor service.
Bet they all hate you and talk about it behind your back. That's what we do.
It's become a thing recently than awkward nerds are too afraid to say something in person to person situations, so instead they complain about it on GAF.
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